Sitting waiting to hear from the Chemo ward if I can have my Herceptin today. I’ve had bloods drawn, quickly visited dentist, got antibiotics, but haven’t started them yet in case I’m allowed to have it.
Tooth was agony at the weekend, but has settled to a dull ache now. Dentist says that as it’s already been root filled my options are extraction or specialist re-root filling at the dental hospital hospital to the tune of £600!!!
Don’t we get any help re dental costs after enduring chemo and its awful assaults on our bodies?
Now I’m waiting for the chemo nurses to phone the Onc. in Glasgow and see what she says. Isn’t life a real bitch sometimes?
Hi
I work as a hygienist in a dental hospital so I hope I can help a little. It sounds as though you have an infection in the root of the tooth. As your dentists says two options available - easy one - extraction. Difficult one but will preserve the tooth is further root canal with a specialist. This is costly and there are no guarantees that it will work. However, at least it gives the tooth a chance. With regards to treatment, why don’t you ask your oncologist if they will refer you to Glasgow dental hospital. The work will be free and you will get excellent treatment. We often get oncology patients sent from our nearest cancer hospital and because you are on chemo, you probably will get priority. My only concerns would be that Root canal therapy is lengthy and can take several visits to complete and you may not get seen straight away as you would if it was for an extraction. If you are immuno compromised it may not be a good idea for root canal as you want to get rid of potential infection as soon as possible. this is just my opinion, so don’t hold me to it!! a lot depends on which tooth it is also.
Cathy
x
Hi alloway and cathy,
Im confused as to why you cant have Herceptin with a tooth infection. I have been battling one now for about 6 weeks! I have had 7 days Amoxycillin to no avail and then I had it drilled and dressed as they couldnt deaden it enough to take it out, they then put me on Metronidazole which I took for 5 days but still my tooth is sore. As I was so tired and down a few weeks ago persuaded the clinic to give me a blood test which showed low wbc and low neutrophils…apparently a rare side effect of herceptin. Probably why i cant get rid of this infection, i still feel tired but at no point has anyone ever said that I wouldnt have Herceptin! So although they are checking my blood again on Friday and I think I still have an infection I will be having Herceptin on Friday! Also given what you say Cathy, I was surprised that the dentist was happy to go poking about in my gums, my neutrophils were 1.5 so low but not dangerously low, nevertheless when they were this on chemo the dentist refused to touch my teeth!
Hope you feel better soon Alloway, nothing worse than sore gums, do you have any other gums sore, I have the same sore gum feeling I had whilst on chemo and my tongue has that stripped look about it that I used to get after chemo!
Polly x
Hi Polly
There are so many myths with dentistry as with everything else. The ony contraindication I know of with regards to extractions and root canal treatment is bisophosphamides which may cause problems with the bone in the jaw. I haven’t heard that any other treatment is not advisable whilst under chemo. Obviously , it makes sense to limit the amount of non urgent treatment, mainly because it takes longer to heal, but other than that, the main goal is to treat the dental problem, like you would with anyone else. If you have an infected tooth, it needs to be treated as soon as possible as it is will be harbouring bacteria and a source of infection. I think with all this litigation that is flying around, dentists would rather take the safe option and do nothing than risk being sued. To be honest, many of them wont have a clue about individual chemo treatments. To be on antibiotics for any length of time is not good, so it would make more sense to just take the tooth out. Problem is if there is a large area of infection, the local anaesthetic doesnt work always work as well, but after a course of metronadizole, should be ok. If you double check with your oncologist about what you can and cant have done, then tell the dentist, you should be ok.
Hi all,
Back from receiving Herceptin and started the antibiotics.
Cathy, I think my dentist is referring me to the Glasgow dental hospital. Does that make sense, that it should cost me so much, or perhaps I’ve got wires crossed and it’s some private treatment place that he’s sending me to? The receptionist is going to phone with an appointment and I’ll ask her where I’m going!!!
You stated that there are no guarantees that it will work. Stupid question, but do you still have to pay if it fails?
this is v interesting… my hosp was clear that i should not have dental treatment while on chemo…
sorry - a diversion because u are on herceptin…
Hi all , i have been on herceptin for 2 years haven t had to stop herceptin but i have had to stop bone/phos for 2 weeks until i had toothout. i had no option ! i have had a break through with tooth near by but seem to control with anti bio 1 each day. if have any questions please ask.
sophie